Bengaluru Top Cop, Officials Suspended Over Stampede: CM Siddaramaiah
By : Sandhya
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, facing strong criticism from the BJP and the public after a tragic stampede in Bengaluru claimed 11 lives and injured 47, announced on Wednesday that his government has suspended the city's police commissioner and his deputy. The incident occurred during a public felicitation ceremony for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, following the team’s historic first IPL win after an 18-year wait.
Speaking to the media, Siddaramaiah confirmed that a criminal investigation has been launched. The state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) will now handle the probe, taking over from the initial one-man Commission led by retired High Court judge Justice Michael Cunha. The Chief Minister indicated that further action would be taken against RCB, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and event manager DNA Entertainment.
Preliminary findings suggest that the RCB and event organisers ignored warnings from the police, who had advised more time was needed to ensure safety preparations for the large-scale event. Contrary to the state’s initial claim of the event being a last-minute decision, RCB had announced the "Victory Parade" and felicitation event on June 4 via social media, even providing a link for free passes and asking fans to follow police instructions.
On the day of the event, an estimated crowd of 8 lakh people overwhelmed the arrangements. While security was tight near the Vidhana Soudha—where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other VIPs were present—police presence at the stadium was insufficient for crowd management, leading to chaos and a deadly stampede.
The Karnataka High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the tragedy and directed the state government to submit a detailed report. The court has asked for a clear explanation of the causes behind the incident, accountability, and steps that will be taken to prevent such mishaps in the future.
With public outrage growing and the death toll sparking national concern, the government’s response to the mishandling of the event remains under intense scrutiny.